Photograph of Mary A. (Bettis) Pierce

Probably Mary A. Bettis c. 1860

This is one of the few photographs having an inscription on its back.  Strangely enough, the inscription is Anna.  But there doesn't seem to be anyone who was named Anna in the family.  Mary Bettis' middle initial is A, and so she might have been called Anna by those close to her.  The is another carte de visite, but was not toned, and now is faded and soiled.  Considerable contrast enhancement has been done just to see the shadow of an image that remains.  She leans on a professional posing chair, such as those sold by the photographic supply houses of the time, e.g., E. & H.T. Anthony.

Mary was the daughter of Eli Bettis and Dorthula (Dolly) Lewis of Jefferson Co., TN.  Eli was in the area at least by 1807, when he helped maintain a road.  The Lewis family was in TN prior to 1800.